Latest reviews about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

smtom says "So far, so good ~ Keeping fingers crossed" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

smtom — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:53:39 GMT

Professionally installed 3/10/10. Did EXTENSIVE research on this and other Kenmore water heaters prior to purchase. Replaced a 14 year old 'traditional' WH with constant pilot light that vented to the chimney.

Took note of all issues listed here (and elsewhere) that were encountered by others, hoped for the best. This one is made by AO Smith, a good thing.

Upon install, unit would not stay lit - thought my worst fears were recognized...Fortunately, I purchased the mac-daddy service plan.

Technician came out same day I called, ran tests - determined venting pipe (PVC) was encountering too much resistance due to length of PVC and/or elbows in exhaust PVC. Solution? Shortened PVC to eliminate length/quantity of elbows, has worked like a champ ever since. Will update later if status/satisfaction changes.

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BrianInPA says "Buy it!" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

BrianInPA — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:34:47 GMT

This was a replacement for a 9 year old Bradford White water heater. I first called a plumbing house but in the end the Sears reputation and the fact that they are right around the corner anytime I need them won the day. I paid abut $1200 installed which includes a 5 year comprehensive warranty. I think the tank has a 6 year warranty. There is one complaint posted here that the blower is so loud that it can be heard throughout the house. Not our house. This blower is quieter than what we had for close to 10 years. I can't vouch for its longevity yet as it was put into service just this morning. I am not worried.

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Calinmichigan says "LOUD!!" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:00:05 GMT

Unit was professionally installed and heats well. There is a very lioud noise that comes from the power vent blower. It can be heard all through the house (even from the basement to the second floor). I am not real happy right now as the unit is only about three weeks old. If Sears takes care of the problem I will update my review....

Tana says "Leaks after 3 years" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:45:05 GMT

I purchased and installed this water heater 3 years ago and it just started to LEAK. My last water heater lasted 15 years. This is a major disappointment and will look for an alternative water heater other than Kenmore....

ACers says "Defective gas valve from factory" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:45:03 GMT

I purchased this top-of-the line water heater from my local Sears store on July 21, 2008 and spent 8 hours installing it. When I finished it would not start. I called Sears' warranty service and they sent out a repairman. The repairman said the gas valve was defective and wouldn't let the burner start and that this was a flaw from the manufacturer he was regularly seeing. He also told me that a replacement for the defective valve has been on backorder from the OEM for some time. He was surprised that Sears was still selling a unit which is known for defects. As a result I do not know when I will have hot water in my home. The Sears customer service clerk I called after learning this told me to just bring the heater back to the store for a replacement or a refund!!! How about covering the cost of my truck rental and the help I hired to get this into my home? BUYER BEWARE - buying this defective unit may result in not only wasting the cost of installation, but giving you a major delay in......

BmoNhotwater says "one of the best gas water heaters" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:20 GMT

Was the best I could find. Don't really have a lot to add to the review. Only thing I was disappointed with is that for this money it should come with more insulation and the power vent is not made to have the intake run outside (so you have the warm air in your home being fed to the fire then dumped outside). Considering this is the 'supper efficient' model. I put it in a the house we just built so I can't comment on $$ savings....

Nonplumber says "Great unit!" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 05:45:20 GMT

I replaced an 11 year old Ruud Power Vent with this unit. 5 hours start to finish ( my first WH) including removing the old one. The install kit from Sears had everything except the venting material (3 in PVC). After one extra trip to hardware store as I reconstructed the vent line, we were in business. Instructions were great and start up went smoothly. It is working like a champ....

JayY says "Top Notch Water Heater" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:30:04 GMT

I installed this unit on my own, and it was relatively easy to accomplish, the instructions covered all aspects quite well, and I'm very pleased with the unit. The electronics on the unit make it easy to operate and the unit has electric ignition of the gas burner so this increases the savings over my last unit which had a pilot. The efficiency of the unit seems really high to me, and the unit does not run at night at all and the water stays hot. I'm looking forward to lower gas bills. Excellent value....

Tim19701 says "BIG MONEY SAVER" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:45:04 GMT

I installed this unit in 2 nights after work. I had 50 gal. electric water heater which was 7 years old. I found in very easy to install and would say it requires a moderate skill level. I ran gas line, PVC vent, Water, and converted 220 electric line to 110 to supply the electric needed. We have a family of 5, 4 of which are adults, My electric bill DROPPED $300.00 in the first month!...

Stark says "Great efficiency" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:31:24 GMT

The electric cord can be plugged into a programmable timer outlet which allows the water heater to turn off as many hours as you wish. I keep mine on for 8 hours per day and betwween a gas dryer and this water heater I use only 0.8 Therms per day on average for a family of two. If I do need hot water it is still available for 4 or 5 hours after it shuts off because I put an insulated blanket on the sides. And if that is not good enough I just unplug the timer and it turns on giving me what I need....

lockhart1969 says "So far so good" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:01:41 GMT

I am building out my attic which implies removing my old water heater which vented out the chimney. I bought this item an installed it myself. So far it has worked very well. The instructions and supplemental materials were better than expected....

SAD2 says "1 star" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:40:36 GMT

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MCKComputerWorks says "Outstanding hot water heater" about Kenmore 50 Gallon Tall Natural Gas Water Heater

sears-feed — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:02:20 GMT

When I discovered that my existing utility flue was inadequate for a "traditional vent" hot water heater, I had no choice but to go witha power-vent model, which vents out the side of my basement wall with ordinary 3-inch PVC pipe. This is one outstanding product! But, then again, it is a Kenmore, from which I have come to expect nothing less than the best! It is extremely efficient, very well made, and we have no shortage at all of hot water, now. (We previously had a 13 year-old 30-gallon model)....